Bloggers and non-traditional media emerged as powerful forces for advancing news and thought in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. There were more stories and perspectives than the traditional and alternative media – OffBeat included – could cover, and they took their places as significant voices in the city. One such voice, Ashley Morris, became the starting place for John Goodman’s Creighton Bernette on Treme. Many of those bloggers came together to form the non-profit organization Rising Tide NOLA.

The fifth annual Rising Tide new media conference will return Saturday, August 28 at the Howlin’ Wolf from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rising Tide will present speakers and panel discussions that focus on the recovery and future of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. This year’s keynote speaker has yet to be announced, but last year Harry Shearer delivered a stark address about how little interest the mainstream media had in getting the Katrina story, and how much New Orleans relies on other voices to  spread the word.

Registration is open now and costs $20 until July 31; registration includes lunch. There will be a pre-conference party August 27 at the Howlin’ Wolf. For details on retail table space, sponsorships and registration, go to the Rising Tide Web site.  You can also follow Rising Tide developments at its blog and, naturally, on Twitter and Facebook.